The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-03

HARDWARE.
The sales of hardware have largely in
creased in fact. n heavier business was doing
during the past year than has been known for
several years back There was such a good har-
veSting year, that the demand for agri-
cultural implements held up very
steadily. Prices were rather low for
pretty much all goods in this line. The Central
railroad brought to this port 1906 tons of
pig iron, and carried into the interior % 0S5 tons
of railroad iron. The shipments of pig iron
delphia 1854 tons. TO Boston 436 tons, to Balti-
more S96 tons, showing remarkable increase
in shipments TO New York over last year
PROVISIONS
Since the last annual report the receipts and
sales have lar ~ increased Notwithstanding
the fact that =, IS have advanced much
higher. Tks .iA. "A this marke: of bacon
reached 1S 1.'7,1r pounds and of lard 2467 4g1
pounds. The trade is steadily growing and is
now second to none in the South. There is a
prospect for still higher prices for the coming
year, owing to the very heavy damage to the
corn crop in the West.
There was some increase in the sales of both
corn and oats, as also hay. Dealers still have
the cheap rates of freight from the West to con-
tend with, but notwithstanding this they have
increased their business The prices ruled high.
The receipts of corn during the year were 5SS,-
6s1 bushels: Oats 573 76O bushels. Hay 1o2, ee4
bales, and 80, 1852 barrels OF flour.
DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS.
This branch of S.vannah's trade has more
than held its own TINS pkb year While the
amount Of business was not much larger than
the previous year, owing to various local causes,
which depressed trade and leSsened the demand
for goods, more new territory has been covered
and valuable new trade secured, which hereto
fore belonged, or was claimed by interior cities,
while none of the old trade has been lost The
enterprise and push of our jobbers, aided by their
increasing capital, has resulted in securing very
valuable trade where before they hesitated in
soliciting.
Under the Interstate Commerce Law they will
now push still f,trc&ys 70 ~ ade, and ~ success
fully compete WIKI ~ Interior cities, who be-
fore received freight aber as low as this city.
for cheap freight by steamer from
New York, Boston and Philadelphia
and Baltimore, the high standing they have in
commercial circles. at home and abroad, by
their long experience in the business knowing
as they do the wants of the Southern trade
will soon make this city the great dry good
emporium of the South, and in a few years they
will find the way to import directly all goods
and wares that they now get through Northern
houses. They are now in position to duplicate
any general bill of merchandise purchased in
Northern markets, and in the sale of domestics
or Southern made fabrics they are able to sell
cheaper than the merchants of any other
city. Those engaged in this business are strictly
business men, and are directors in our principal
railroads and banks The number of firms en-
gagged in this line of business are few, but they
handle about 10, 900 cases of goods a year. val
ued at something like S2,0000O0.
Prices of both cotton and wooden fabrics have
advanced during the past season and there is
still firm and strong tone to the market in all
lines. Present prices will probably be main
tanned during the season. So long as manu-
facturers control their productions and the de.
uand exceeds the supply fabrics will rule high
no matter If the raw material declines in price
but should the mills start up and by extra work
overstock the market and exceed the demand,
then buyers will have their way and make
prices. The jobbers of dry goods have
much TO contend with and their risks are many
If business could be conducted on purely bust
ness principles and in business season, the Job
Der would run less risk, the country merchant
would buy his goods when wanted. and the
planter would not, by the time his crop is dis
posed of, have TO buy his purchases on credit,
and have nothing left when his crop is sold. If
the merchants of the North would do away with
the dating system and date bills from time of
purchase, and not four to six months ahead the
merchants of the South could do the same and
then sell goods in their proper season. But as
long as the merchants of the North will follow
this perncious practice of dating ahead as an
must follow the custom or give up the
business The remedy is with the
manufacturers and merchants of New York,
and until they take steps to stamp out this un-
businessike mode of trading, our merchants
must sell winter goods in the hot days of sum
mer and cool lawns in the cold days Of January,
because the country merchants can get a long
dating on them, when IL such goods were sold
September and April, when needed healthier
business could be done, and the jobber country
merchants and farmers would, in the end be
richer.
REAL ESTATE.
During the year Just ended the real estate
market has been remarkable for the continued
advance In unimproved property. Vacant lots in
al portions of the wood district" have sold
readily, and at prices which now seem reason
able. but which year ago would have been
thought high. Territory. heretofore not con-
sidered excellent, has been invaded, lots sold,
fine improvements erected thereon, and now
chased AS choice" Gradually, our heretofore
exclusive people are extending eastward and
westward the area in which fine houses may be
built. The volume OF trade in this line has been
quite a. great as during last year. The number
OF pieces sold aud their value Is very much in
@1cess Of the last twelve months.